Flexible Clad Protection System

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protection device and/or system that may include a thimble capable of being placed over a transmission line, such as an electrical power cord, to provide protection in the form of cut resistance, abrasion resistance, and/or impact resistance. In some embodiments, a plurality of thimbles can be placed over the transmission line to form an overlapping arrangement to protect a desired length of the transmission line. While each thimble may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible, the arrangement can maintain flexibility to allow for many degrees of movement of the electrical power cord even as it is cladded in the protection system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/194,473, filed on Jul. 20, 2015,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a protection device and/orsystem that can protect an item contained within the system or an itemthat underlies the system. The protection system can be flexible and maybe used to surround the item, such an electrical power cord of anelectromagnet lifting assembly for example, to form a protectivecladding around the item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of machinery, and in particular hoisting machinery, includecables, chains, ropes, etc. to assist with various hoisting and liftingactivities. These items can be used as the main hoist line, an auxiliaryhoist line, a whip line, a tether, rigging, etc. Some machinery systemsaugment the hoisting operations with electrical power, hydraulic power,magnetic power, and the like. With such augmented power, transmissionlines (e.g., electrical power cords or hydraulic hoses) must generallybe utilized with the hoist. For example, an electromagnet hoistingassembly can include a casing which houses an electromagnet. The surfaceof the casing may include eyelets, shackles, or other rigging points tofacilitate connection of the electromagnet to the main hoist line viachains. An electrical power cord can be routed from the hoist to theelectromagnet to selectively supply electrical energy for operation ofthe electromagnet.

A typical use of electromagnets can be in a scrap yard or similarindustrial setting to transport loads of scrap in bulk. Suchenvironments can be harsh and include hazards that may cause damage tothe electrical power cords and/or rigging chains. For example, loweringthe electromagnet into a scrap pile can cause a sharp edge of scrap tocut into the electrical power cord. Electrical power cords of anelectromagnet assembly may be covered with plastic or rubber, which canprovide some mechanical abrasion protection, but are mainly designed forelectrical insulation. Some techniques to provide added protection caninclude use of a reinforced rubber hose placed over the electrical powercord's plastic covering. Yet, this technique fails to provide adequateprotection, mainly because such hoses are not designed to provide adefense against the harsh environments typically experienced in a scrapyard and similar settings. While a rigid tube may provide adequateprotection, it is not flexible enough to allow proper operation of theelectromagnet as it is moved about the scrap yard to collect and discardscrap.

The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of theabove-identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protection system that mayinclude at least one thimble capable of being placed over a transmissionline, such as an electrical power cord, to provide protection in theform of cut resistance, abrasion resistance, and/or impact resistance,while maintaining flexibility. In the event that the item is anelectrical power cord, it is contemplated for the thimble to be placedover the existing plastic or rubber covering of the electrical powercord. In some embodiments, a plurality of thimbles can be placed overthe transmission line to form an arrangement to protect a desired lengthof the transmission line. While each thimble may be rigid or semi-rigid,the thimbles overlap and do not interlock and, thus, the arrangement canmaintain flexibility to allow for many degrees of movement of theelectrical power cord even as it is cladded in the protection system.

In some embodiments, any one thimble can be a tubular member with astraight portion at its first end and a flared portion at its secondend. In an arrangement, such as a serial arrangement of a plurality ofthimbles, for example, the second end of a first thimble can receive thefirst end of a second thimble, such that the thimbles overlap. This“engagement” can facilitate forming a sheath of thimble-cladding along alength of the transmission line without any one individual thimbleinterlocking with another individual thimble. A length of each thimblecan be small relative to the overall length of the portion of thetransmission line being cladded so that, regardless of whether any onethimble being a rigid structure, with the engagement of the thimblesdescribed above can facilitate several degrees of movement (radialflexing, rotation, rolling, etc.) of the transmission line whilemaintaining adequate cladding protection to the transmission line.

Further embodiments of the protection system can include at least onesling and at least one lead restraint. The sling can be used to tetherthe transmission line to a structure of the hoist mechanism. The leadrestraint can be used to facilitate connection of the transmission lineto its power source.

While embodiments disclosed herein may describe use of the protectionsystem to protect transmission lines, the system is certainly notlimited to such use. The system can also be used to protect hose, chain,rope, cable, pipe, etc. Basically, any elongate element can be protectedusing the inventive system herein described. Furthermore, the system canbe used to provide protection from the underlying item in thealternative, or in addition, to the providing protection to theunderlying item.

The various embodiments of the disclosed protection system may bereferred to as the Armadillo Flexible Clad Protection System, and thevarious embodiments of the disclosed thimble may be referred to as anArmadillo thimble, due to the overlapping nature of the thimbles inassembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protection system is a flexibleprotection system that can include a serial arrangement of a pluralityof thimbles, each thimble having a first end, a second end, and anaperture running along a longitudinal axis of each thimble from thefirst end to the second end. An outer diameter of the first end of eachthimble can be smaller than an inner diameter of the second end of eachthimble so as to facilitate at least partial insertion of the first endof a first thimble into the second end of a second thimble placedadjacent the first thimble in an overlapping arrangement and in anon-interlocking engagement. The aperture of each thimble can be sizedto receive an elongate item within the serial arrangement of theplurality of thimbles and (i) facilitate free motion of any one thimblerelative to other thimbles and (ii) facilitate the free motion of theany one thimble relative to the elongate item, wherein the free motionmay be at least one of movement in a longitudinal direction, in adirection transverse to the longitudinal direction, and in a rotationalmotion about the longitudinal axis. A spacer element can be secured toat least one of the elongate item and the serial arrangement of theplurality of thimbles, the spacer element capable of restricting thefree motion of the plurality of thimbles in the longitudinal directionsuch that at least partial insertion of the first end of each thimbleinto the second end of each adjacent thimble is maintained withoutexposure of the elongate item received within the aperture of eachthimble.

The serial arrangement can be made to form a sheath around the elongateitem to serve as a flexible protective cladding. Further embodiments caninclude the second end of each thimble having a flared second end. Theflexible protection system may further include a sling tethering theelongate item to an ancillary structure. In at least one embodiment, theelongate item can include a transmission line or an electrical powercord. A lead restraint connecting the electrical power cord to anancillary structure may also be used with the system. Some embodimentsinclude a thimble comprising urethane.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible protection system can includea plurality of members, each member having a first end and a flaredsecond end, and a bore running along a longitudinal axis of the memberfrom the first end to the flared second end, the bore sized to receivean elongate element to be protected. The plurality of members can bepositioned in an overlapping arrangement about the elongate element,such that the first end of a member is received in the flared second endof an adjacent member without an interlocking connection betweenadjacent members. A spacer element may be secured to at least one of theelongate element and an end one of the plurality of members, the spacerelement restricting free motion of the plurality of members in alongitudinal direction such that at least partial insertion of the firstend of each member into the flared second end of each adjacent member ismaintained without exposure of the elongate element received within theplurality of members. In at least one embodiment, the plurality ofmembers forms a sheath around the elongate element to serve as aflexible protective cladding. Further, each member may be freelyrotatable about the elongate element received within its bore.

In at least one embodiment, a protection device for an elongate elementcan include a member having a first end, a second end, and an apertureformed therein running along a longitudinal axis of the member from thefirst end to the second end, wherein an inner diameter of the second endis greater than an outer diameter of the first end. The aperture can beconfigured to slidingly receive an elongate item to at least one ofprovide protection thereto and provide protection therefrom. The firstend of one member can be receivable into the second end of an adjacentmember to form an overlapping and non-interlocking engagement betweenadjacent members such that movement of the one member can occurindependently of movement of the adjacent member without exposure of theelongate item slidingly received within the one member and the adjacentmember. The first end can be straight and the second end may be flared.

While at least the above-mentioned potential advantages are madepossible by technical solutions offered herein, they are not required tobe achieved. The presently disclosed protection system can beimplemented to achieve technical advantages, whether or not thesepotential advantages, individually or in combination, are sought orachieved.

Further features, aspects, objects, advantages, and possibleapplications of the present invention will become apparent from a studyof the exemplary embodiments and examples described below, incombination with the Figures, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, aspects, features, advantages and possibleapplications of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an environmental view of an exemplary protection systemused to clad an electrical power cord of an electromagnet liftingassembly.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary protection system formed by a plurality ofthimbles placed over a transmission line (e.g., an electrical powercord).

FIGS. 3A-3C show various sized thimbles that may be used with anexemplary protection system, wherein each figure shows a cross-sectionalside view and a front view of a thimble.

FIG. 4 shows an environmental view of an alternative embodiment of anexemplary protection system used to clad an electrical power cord of anelectromagnet assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of an embodiment presently contemplated forcarrying out the present invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describingthe general principles and features of the present invention. The scopeof the present invention should be determined with reference to theclaims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the protection system 1 can include at leastone thimble 2, at least one spacer element 4, at least one sling 6, andat least one lead restraint 8. In some embodiments, the protectionsystem 1 may be employed as a protective sheath 3 or shroud receivingand surrounding at least a portion of an elongate item to provideprotection thereto and/or therefrom. It is contemplated for theprotection system 1 to be used to provide protection to a transmissionline, which may include but is not limited to an electrical power cord,a hydraulic hose, a water hose, etc. However, other items can beprotected by the protection system 1.

The item to which the protection system 1 can provide protection forand/or from it preferably elongate and can be flexible or inflexible.Other items that can be protected may include a rope, a hose, a chain,tubing, piping, conduit line, etc. Particular benefits may be achievedwhen using the protection system 1 to provide protection to elongatedflexible members because of the ability of the system 1 to maintainflexibility without compromising effective protection. For example, aplurality of thimbles 2 can be placed over an electrical power cord ofan electromagnet lifting assembly to generate a protective sheath 3 thatshrouds or clads the electrical power cord. As will be described in moredetail later, the structure of each thimble 2 can engage another thimble2 so as to facilitate several degrees of movement (e.g., rotation,rolling, bending, flexing, etc.) of the protective shroud and/or theelectrical power cord. Thus, an electromagnet lifting assembly can beoperated (i.e., hoisted, lowered, oscillated, tilted, etc.) withoutbeing restricted, as might occur with existing protection systems.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, exemplary embodiments of various sizedthimbles 2 are disclosed. Any one thimble 2 can be a hollow memberconfigured to receive a portion of an electrical power cord. In someembodiments, any one thimble 2 can be an elongated member with anaperture 10 formed within an interior portion thereof, the aperture 10extending from a first end 12 to a second flared end 14. The aperture 10can traverse the thimble 2 along its longitudinal axis 16. Thus, thethimble 2 can have an exterior surface 18 on an outside of the thimble2, an interior surface 20 located at the aperture 10, a first end 12opening, and a second flared end 14 opening. The inner surface of thesecond flared end 14 is larger than the outer surface of the first 10,such that the first end 10 can be received in the second flared end 14to form an overlapping type of arrangement.

The aperture 10 can define a bore through which the electrical powercord can be slidably received. The diameter of the bore may be slightlylarger than the diameter of the electrical power cord to enable freeslidable motion of the thimble 2 about the electrical power cord alongthe longitudinal direction 16, as well as free rotational motion aboutan axis defined by the longitudinal direction 16. In some embodiments,the diameter of the bore can be such as to enable slight movement of thethimble in direction transverse to the longitudinal direction 16.

In some embodiments, the exterior surface 18 can be cylindrical inshape; however, other shapes can be utilized. These may include, but arenot limited to, cubic, hexagonal, pyramidal, fluted, etc. For example, ahexagonal or fluted shape may be used to provide enhanced gripping,enhance structural rigidity, inhibit rotational motion, generate anaesthetic look, etc. In addition, the exterior surface 18 may be smooth,textured, and/or exhibit other surface ornamentations to provide a slipsurface, a non-slip surface, etc. The interior surface 20 can exhibitthe same shape and/or surface ornamentation as the exterior surface 18or a different shape and/or surface ornamentation. It is contemplatedfor the interior surface 20 to be cylindrical and smooth to furtherfacilitate free motion (e.g., rotational, longitudinal, and/ortransverse) of each thimble 2 independently of other thimbles 2 andindependently of the electrical power cord. However, an interlockingscheme can be used to force at least two thimbles 2 to move in unisonwhile still enabling independent movement of the interlocked thimbles 2with respect to the electrical power cord.

While is it shown for the aperture 10 to extend from the first end 12 tothe second end 14 in a linear manner, it need not do so. For example,the aperture 10 can be curvilinear, angled, sinusoidal, undulating, etc.

A plurality of thimbles 2 can be placed over an electrical power cord byeach thimble 2 slidingly receiving the electrical power cord via itsaperture 10 to form an arrangement of thimbles 2 (see FIG. 2). Thearrangement can be in a serial manner, whereby the first end 10 of afirst thimble 2 is received into the second flared end 14 of a secondthimble 2 such that the second flared end 14 overlaps the first end 10.This arrangement can be repeated until a desired length of theelectrical cord is cladded with the serial arrangement of overlappingthimbles 2. Thus, a sheath 3 can be formed about the electrical powercord by the serial arrangement of overlapping thimbles 2. Thearrangement of the sheath 3 can provide advantages over other existingprotection systems. For example, if a particular thimble 2 becomesdamaged or otherwise inoperable, that particular thimble 2 can bereplaced as opposed to replacing the entire sheath 3 or having to repaira portion thereof. The arrangement also enables many degrees of motionto occur with the sheath 3 and/or with the electrical power cord,regardless of whether an individual thimble 2 is rigid, semi-rigid, orflexible. Thus, the sheath 3 can be freely articulated so as to “flex”along with the electrical power cord.

The overlapping interface between the first end 12 of a thimble 2 andthe second end 14 of an adjacent thimble 2 can form an engagement thateffectively holds each thimble 2 in the arrangement in a desiredposition without generating a an interlocking connection. Thus, while athimble 2 can be connected to an adjacent thimble 2, mechanically orotherwise, there need not be such a connection to form the arrangement.Additionally, depending on the particular application, somethimble-to-thimble engagements within the overall arrangement may be anabutment of opposing ends, while other thimble-to-thimble engagementswithin the overall arrangement can be the overlapping straightend-flared end engagement.

Such engagement schemes can facilitate free manipulation and handling ofthe electrical power cord when using the protection system 1 to clad theelectrical power cord due to the free motioning of the sheath 3 and/orindividual thimbles 2 forming the sheath 3. For example, the straightend-flared end engagement can allow the a thimble 2 within thearrangement to move in the longitudinal direction 16, move transverse tothe longitudinal direction 16, and/or rotate about the longitudinal axis16, all of such motions being independent of an adjacent thimble 16and/or independent of the electrical power cord without causing exposureof the electrical power cord. For example, if a thimble 2 moveslongitudinally 16 with respect to an adjacent thimble 2, the flaredsecond end 14 can still maintain coverage of the electrical power corddue to the overlap of the flared second end 14 over the first end 12.This is similarly so for motioning in the transverse direction and/orwith rotational motion. This engagement can allow the electrical powercord, and thus the sheath 3, to be rotated, bent, deflected, flexed,stretched, etc., yet still providing adequate protection via thecladding structure. This engagement can further enable the sheath 3and/or any one thimble 2 to be motioned independently of the electricalpower cord so as to not cause damage, e.g., via chafing of theelectrical power cord.

As noted above, the interior surface 20 of each thimble may beconfigured to facilitate free rotational movement of each thimble 2 withrespect to the electrical cord and/or the other thimbles 2 in thearrangement. Maintaining such free rotational motion can facilitatefurther manipulation of the electrical power cord and/or theelectromagnet assembly to which it is attached without causing abrasion,frictional wear, chafing, static charge etc. to the electrical powercord. For example, the electrical power cord, with the protective system1 placed on it, can come into contact with another structure and beprotected not only from impact and abrasion caused by the structure, butalso from abrasion and wear from the sheath 3 itself. The free rotationof the thimble(s) 2 about the electrical power cord can preventfrictional wear and/or chafing in such occurrences due to the thimble 2acting as a roller guard. The roller nature of the thimble 2 in suchembodiments can further prevent undesired twisting of the electricalpower cord in such occurrences as well. For example, the rotationalmoments may be “absorbed” by the sheath 3, causing the sheath 3 and/orindividual thimbles 2 to rotate while the electrical power cord's motionremains static.

Any one thimble 2 can be fabricated from a tough, durable material. Forexample, any one thimble 2 can be fabricated from urethane. Preferably,any one thimble 2 can exhibit properties of cut resistance, abrasionresistance, and impact resistant. In some embodiments, any one thimble 2can be fabricated from cast urethane (e.g., DuPont ® L 167, with ahardness of 95 Shore A), or other similar materials. However, othermaterials can be used, which may include, but are not limited to,ceramic, glass, metal, metal alloy, fiber composite, plastic, etc.

Any one thimble 2 can be a tubular shaped member with a straight portionat the first end 12 and a conical flare portion and/or expanding taperat the flared second end 14. In some embodiments, the thimble 2 includesa shape that mostly comprises the straight portion leading to anexpanding taper portion (e.g., flared portion). For example, the tubularshaped member can have a straight portion at the first end 12 andextending approximately ⅔ of the length of the thimble 2 towards theflared second end 14 before leading into the flare of the second end 14.However, other straight portion length-to-flared portion length ratioscan be utilized. The flare extends in a direction that is radiallyoutward to the longitudinal direction 16. The radial extension of theflared second end 14 can be minimal so as to maintain a low profile ofthe thimble 2, but large enough to receive the first end 12 of anadjacent thimble 2. This may be done to reduce the risk of snags and/orto prevent unwieldiness of the sheath 3. For example, an outer diameterof the first end 12 can be 2⅛ inches and the outer diameter of thesecond end 14 (i.e., the outer diameter at the flare) can be 3 inches(see FIG. 3A). Thus, the radial extension in this example can be ⅞inches.

In an arrangement of a plurality of thimbles 2, the conical flaredsecond end 14 of a first thimble 2 can facilitate sliding receipt of thestraight first end 12 of a second thimble 2. For example, a length, orportion of the length, from the first end 12 of a thimble 2 to a flarepoint 22 (the beginning of the flare of the second end 14) exhibits anouter diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the flaredsecond end 14. In particular, the inner diameter of at least a portionof the flared second end 14 is greater than the outer diameter of thefirst end 12. This enables the first end 12 of an adjacent thimble 2 tobe slid into the flared second end 14 in an overlapping arrangement (seeFIG. 2). Also shown in FIG. 2, an outer diameter of the first end 12 ofeach thimble 2 can be smaller than an inner diameter of the second end14 of each thimble 2 so as to facilitate at least partial insertion ofthe first end 12 of a first thimble 2 into the second end 14 of a secondthimble 2 placed adjacent the first thimble 2 in an overlappingarrangement and in a non-interlocking engagement.

While the thimble 2 is shown as having a straight tubular shape with aconical flare, other differentiated diameter configurations can be used.For example, the second end 14 may exhibit more of an angled taper asopposed to a conical flare. As another example, the second end 14 mayexhibit a stepped configuration. In yet another embodiment, the secondend 14 may be straight while the first end 12 can taper inward (i.e.,inward in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis 16).

It is contemplated for the thimbles 2 to be fabricated to exhibitvarious lengths, thicknesses, diameters, hardness, resiliency,electrical resistance, heat resistance, and other material andmechanical properties to accommodate safe and proper use in variousapplications. For example, thicker/thinner electrical power cords mayrequire thimbles 2 with larger/smaller inner diameters. Exemplarylengths, widths and thicknesses of various thimbles 2 are shown in FIGS.3A-3C. Other lengths, widths and thicknesses as will be appreciated byone skilled in the art.

Referring back to FIG. 1, an exemplary use of the protection system 1can be to protect an electrical power cord of an electromagnet assembly.At least one thimble 2 can be donned on the electrical power cord byslidingly receiving the electrical power cord through the aperture 10.The electrical power cord can then be connected to the electricalconnectors of the electromagnet assembly for operation of theelectromagnet. As described above, a plurality of thimbles 2 can be usedin a serial arrangement to generate the sheath 3. Each thimble 2 can beorientated in a same direction and/or any one thimble 2 can beorientated in a different direction (i.e., so as to cause at least twofirst ends 12 to engage each other or at least two second ends 14 toengage each other). FIG. 1 shows the electrical power cord being routedfrom a hoist mechanism to the electromagnet so that the electrical powercord is suspended from the hoist mechanism and is partially rested uponthe electromagnet. Each thimble 2 is orientated so that each first end12 is more proximal to the hoist mechanism than its corresponding flaredsecond end 14. This may be done to ensure that each flared second end 14rests upon and covers the first end 12 of the adjacent thimble 2 due togravity acting on the thimble arrangement as the electrical power cordhangs from the hoist. However, any one thimble 2 or all of the thimbles2 can be orientated in the opposite manner.

In use, the electrical power cord can be disconnected at the hoistmechanism to facilitate slidably placing a thimble 2 on the electricalpower cord. An initial thimble 2 can be placed on the electrical powercord and be made to rest against a structure of the electromagnet. Forexample, the initial thimble 2 can rest against a lead clamp of theelectromagnet, using the lead clamp of the electromagnet as a buttressto prevent further movement of the thimble 2 along the thimble'slongitudinal direction 16. Subsequent thimbles 2 can be placed on theelectrical power cord so that they slide down the electrical power cordand lie adjacent the previously donned thimble 2 in an overlappingarrangement, as described above. This can continue until a desiredlength of the electrical power cord is cladded by the sheath 3 and/oruntil a desired length of sheath 3 has been generated. The electricalpower cord can then be reconnected to the hoist mechanism.

In some embodiments, before the electrical power cord is reconnected tothe hoist mechanism, a spacer element 4 can be placed on the electricalcord after a desired length of the electrical power cord is cladded bythe sheath 3 and/or until a desired length of sheath 3 has beengenerated. For example, a length of slit hose, or other tubular member,can be secured around a distal end of the electrical power cord to serveas the spacer element 4. The slit hose can be secured around a portionof the electrical power cord that has not been cladded, it can besecured around a cladded portion of the electrical power cord, and/orboth. The slit hose can be secured by a fastening means 24, which caninclude at least one hose clamp. Once secured, the spacer element 4 canact as a buttress at the hoist member end to prevent, or at leastinhibit, movement of the sheath 3 and/or any one thimble 2 of the sheath3 beyond the spacer element 4. Thus, the spacer element 4 and thebuttress structure at the initial thimble 2 end can serve to confine thesheath 3 in a spatial dimension. The spacer element 4 can be used torestrict motion of any one and/or all thimbles 2 along theirlongitudinal directions 16. For example, the spacer element 4 can beused to cause each thimble 2 to abut each other and not movelongitudinally at all. Alternatively, the spacer element 4 can be usedto allow some longitudinal movement between each thimble 2 within thearrangement, but to restrict that movement to a certain degree. Forinstance, preventing and/or inhibiting longitudinal movement of anythimble 4 within the arrangement in its longitudinal direction 16 can bedone to prevent and/or inhibit any separation in the engagements of theplurality of thimbles 2 with each other and maintain the overlappingconfiguration of thimbles 2. In other words, the spacer element 4 can beused to allow longitudinal movement 16 of two adjacent thimbles 2 sothat the first end 12 of the first thimble 2 can freely move within theconical flare of the second end 14 of an adjacent second thimble 2, butto restrict that movement so that the first end 12 of the first thimble2 does not extend beyond the second end 14 of the adjacent secondthimble 2.

In a further embodiment, the spacer element 4 can be secured to theelectrical power cord such that there is still a portion of theelectrical power cord exposed so as to provide a lead for electricalconnection at the hoist mechanism. A lead restraint 8 (see FIG. 1) orlead clamp 8′ (see FIG. 4) may be applied to this exposed portion of theelectrical power cord to facilitate affixment of the electrical powercord to a boom, a hook block, and/or other portion of the hoistmechanism. For example, the lead restraint 8 or lead clamp 8′ can besecured to the electrical power cord so as to be adjacent the clamp 24securing the spacer element 4. The lead restraint 8 or lead clamp 8′ canalso facilitate electrical connection of the electrical power cord to apower supply.

In further embodiments, at least one sling 6 can be used to tether theelectrical power cord. For example, at least one chain sling 6 can bewrapped around the electrical power cord and another structure (e.g., arigging chain) of the electromagnet assembly. A fastener 26 (e.g., ashackle) can be used to secure the chain sling 6 in place. Such anarrangement can provide further protection by restricting movement ofthe protection system 1 and/or the electrical power cord.

As noted above, the protective system 1 can be used on other items, suchas rope, chain, tubing, pipe, etc. For example, at least one thimble 2can be placed over the rigging chain of the electromagnet assembly in asimilar fashion as described above. This can be done to provideprotection to the rigging chain and/or provide protection from therigging chain.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerousmodifications and variations of the described examples and embodimentsare possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. Thedisclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes ofillustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or allof the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to coverall such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within thetrue scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadththereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is adisclosure of every numerical value within that range, including the endpoints.

1. A flexible protection system, comprising: a serial arrangement of a plurality of thimbles, each thimble having a first end, a second end, and an aperture running along a longitudinal axis of each thimble from the first end to the second end, wherein an outer diameter of the first end of each thimble is smaller than an inner diameter of the second end of each thimble so as to facilitate at least partial insertion of the first end of a first thimble into the second end of a second thimble placed adjacent the first thimble in an overlapping arrangement and in a non-interlocking engagement, wherein the aperture of each thimble is sized to receive an elongate item within the serial arrangement of the plurality of thimbles and (i) facilitate free motion of any one thimble relative to other thimbles and (ii) facilitate the free motion of the any one thimble relative to the elongate item, wherein the free motion comprises movement in a longitudinal direction, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and in a rotational motion about the longitudinal axis; and a spacer element secured to at least one of the elongate item and the serial arrangement of the plurality of thimbles, the spacer element restricting the free motion of the plurality of thimbles in the longitudinal direction such that at least partial insertion of the first end of each thimble into the second end of each adjacent thimble is maintained without exposure of the elongate item received within the aperture of each thimble.
 2. The flexible protection system recited in claim 1, wherein the serial arrangement forms a sheath around the elongate item to serve as a flexible protective cladding.
 3. The flexible protection system recited in claim 1, wherein the second end of each thimble comprises a flared second end.
 4. The flexible protection system recited in claim 1, further comprising a sling tethering the elongate item to an ancillary structure.
 5. The flexible protection system recited in claim 1, wherein the elongate item comprises a transmission line or an electrical power cord.
 6. The flexible protection system recited in claim 5, further comprising a lead restraint connecting the electrical power cord to an ancillary structure.
 7. The flexible protection system recited in claim 1, wherein each thimble comprises urethane.
 8. A flexible protection system, comprising: a plurality of members, each member having a first end and a flared second end, and a bore running along a longitudinal axis of the member from the first end to the flared second end, the bore sized to receive an elongate element to be protected, wherein the plurality of members are positioned in an overlapping arrangement about the elongate element, such that the first end of a member is received in the flared second end of an adjacent member without an interlocking connection between adjacent members and free motion of any one member is maintained while preserving the overlapping arrangement, wherein the free motion comprises movement in a longitudinal direction, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and in a rotational motion about the longitudinal axis.
 9. The flexible protection system recited in claim 8, further comprising: a spacer element secured to at least one of the elongate element and an end one of the plurality of members, the spacer element restricting free motion of the plurality of members in a longitudinal direction such that at least partial insertion of the first end of each member into the flared second end of each adjacent member is maintained without exposure of the elongate element received within the plurality of members.
 10. The flexible protection system recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of members forms a sheath around the elongate element to serve as a flexible protective cladding.
 11. The flexible protection system recited in claim 8, wherein each member is freely rotatable about an entire circumference of the elongate element received within its bore.
 12. The flexible protection system recited in claim 8, wherein each member comprises urethane.
 13. The flexible protection system recited in claim 8, wherein the elongate item comprises a transmission line or an electrical power cord.
 14. A protection device for an elongate element, comprising: a member having a first end, a second end, and an aperture formed therein running along a longitudinal axis of the member from the first end to the second end, wherein an inner diameter of the second end is greater than an outer diameter of the first end; wherein the aperture is configured to slidingly receive an elongate item to at least one of provide protection thereto and provide protection therefrom; and wherein the first end of one member is receivable into the second end of an adjacent member to form an overlapping and non-interlocking engagement between adjacent members such that movement of the one member can occur independently of movement of the adjacent member without exposure of the elongate item slidingly received within the one member and the adjacent member, wherein the movement comprises movement in a longitudinal direction, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and in a rotational motion about the longitudinal axis.
 15. The protection device recited in claim 14, wherein the first end is straight and the second end is flared.
 16. The protection device recited in claim 14, wherein the member comprises urethane.
 17. The protection device recited in claim 14, wherein the elongate item comprises a transmission line or an electrical power cord. 